Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 9 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
3.5 (6)
$399.99
Guitar Center
4.5 (38)
$399.99
Amazon
4.5 (98)
$399.99
Reverb
5.0 (7)
$349.99 New
$299.00 Used
Musician's Friend
4.0 (18)
$399.99
zZounds
5.0 (17)
$399.99
Thomann
4.5 (57)
$383.00 $379.00 $4.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£333.00

Average Price: $381

Budget/Beginner

$500

$1201+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 7 merchants for "Ibanez AF55". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

The Ibanez AF55 is a seamless blend of vintage charm and modern versatility, making it a cornerstone for any guitarist’s collection. As part of the esteemed Artcore series, this semi-hollowbody electric guitar is crafted with a full-hollow maple construction that promises a resonant and rich tonal experience. Whether you're diving into the depths of jazz, exploring the blues, or rocking out on stage, the AF55 adapts with ease, delivering a sound that's both warm and articulate.

The Infinity R humbucking pickups are designed to capture every nuance of your performance, offering clarity and precision across a range of genres. A mahogany set neck with a bound laurel fingerboard ensures comfortable, smooth playability, while the minimalist chrome hardware adds a touch of elegance. The Artcore AF55 is not just about aesthetics; it’s built for performance, offering a solid, reliable sound without the frills.

With its straightforward design and robust build, the Ibanez AF55 is perfect for musicians who value both style and substance. Whether you're in the studio or performing live, this guitar is a reliable companion that's ready to deliver, note after note.

Key Features:

  • Full-hollow maple top, back, and sides
  • Mahogany set neck with bound laurel fretboard
  • Infinity R humbucking pickups for clear, warm tones
  • ART-ST bridge and VT60 tailpiece
  • 20 medium frets with pearl dot inlays
  • Chrome hardware with minimalist design
  • 3-way pickup selector switch with master volume and tone controls

Product specs

Number of Strings 6
Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
Body Type Hollowbody
Body Shape AF55 Singlecut
Body Material Maple
Top Material Maple
Body Finish Satin Polyurethane
Neck Material Mahogany, set neck
Neck Shape AF Artcore
Fingerboard Inlay White dots
Number of Frets 20, Medium
Scale Length 24.7"
Nut Width 1.692"
Bridge/Tailpiece ART-ST bridge with VT06 trapeze style tailpiece
Tuners Ibanez tuners
Neck Pickup Infinity R Ceramic Humbucker
Bridge Pickup Infinity R Ceramic Humbucker
Controls 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone, 3-way toggle pickup switch
Strings 10-46
Case/Gig Bag Sold Separately

FAQs

What kind of music is the Ibanez AF55 best suited for?

The Ibanez AF55 is ideal for jazz, blues, and rock genres, thanks to its warm, resonant hollowbody tone and versatile humbucking pickups.

How does the Ibanez AF55's neck profile affect playability?

The AF55 features an AF Artcore neck profile, which is designed for comfort and ease of play, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced players who prefer a smooth, fast neck.

Are the pickups on the Ibanez AF55 suitable for high-gain music styles?

The Infinity R Ceramic Humbuckers on the Ibanez AF55 provide a warm and clear sound, which is better suited for clean to moderate gain settings, rather than high-gain metal or hard rock.

Does the Ibanez AF55 require a special case or gig bag?

The Ibanez AF55 does not come with a case or gig bag, so it's recommended to purchase a hollowbody-specific case or gig bag to ensure proper fit and protection.

Can the Ibanez AF55 handle live performances?

Yes, the Ibanez AF55 is well-suited for live performances, especially in jazz and blues settings, due to its rich tone and reliable build quality. However, feedback control may be necessary due to its hollowbody design.

MyDukkan

MyDukkan

Ibanez Artcore AF55 - Tobacco Flat

Video thumbnail for Ibanez Artcore AF55 - Tobacco Flat by MyDukkan

Ibanez Artcore AF55 - Tobacco Flat

MyDukkan

MyDukkan

Video thumbnail for Ibanez AF55-TF through Fender Blues Deluxe by Jasper Kuper

Ibanez AF55-TF through Fender Blues Deluxe

Jasper Kuper

Jasper Kuper

Video thumbnail for Test Driving my New Guitar! (Ibanez AF55) - ‘Clyde’ (J J Cale) by MARKUS K

Test Driving my New Guitar! (Ibanez AF55) - ‘Clyde’ (J J Cale)

MARKUS K

MARKUS K

Video thumbnail for IBANEZ AF55 ELECTRIC GUITAR - 60 SECOND REVIEW by Haworth Guitars

IBANEZ AF55 ELECTRIC GUITAR - 60 SECOND REVIEW

Haworth Guitars

Haworth Guitars

Video thumbnail for Ibanez AF55 Hollowbody Guitar | Is It Worth It? by Jack Fossett

Ibanez AF55 Hollowbody Guitar | Is It Worth It?

Jack Fossett

Jack Fossett

Video thumbnail for AF55 Ibanez Review by WesMannHarp

AF55 Ibanez Review

WesMannHarp

WesMannHarp

Video thumbnail for Ibanez AF55 Electric Guitar Review - Great For Blues, Jazz, and More! by intheblues

Ibanez AF55 Electric Guitar Review - Great For Blues, Jazz, and More!

intheblues

intheblues

Video thumbnail for the best budget hollowbody? Ibanez AF55 review! by Sean Keogh Music Education

the best budget hollowbody? Ibanez AF55 review!

Sean Keogh Music Education

Sean Keogh Music Education

Reviews

PROS

  • Astounding value for the low price; punches above its weight

  • Beautiful matte finish with a vintage, rustic look

  • Comfortable neck, perfect for larger hands and extensive play across frets

  • Delivers warm, woody jazz tones with flatwound strings

  • Pickups offer clarity and a wide range of tones

  • Excellent playability with low action and good balance

  • Attractive retro aesthetic; looks great on stage

  • Well-constructed body and neck with good fretwork

  • Surprisingly good sound unplugged for a semi-hollow body

  • Versatile for jazz, blues, and even some rock genres

CONS

  • Stock tuners feel cheap; may cause tuning issues

  • Some units require setup adjustments out of the box

  • Inconsistent quality control; occasional production flaws

  • Matte finish not favored by all; some prefer a polished look

  • Fret buzz and rough fret ends reported on some guitars

  • Tun-o-matic bridge can rattle with lower bass notes

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez AF55.

Use cases and applications

  • The AF55 provides a bridge between electric and acoustic guitars, offering a volume level that's louder than typical electrics but quieter than full acoustics.

    Source
  • An owner successfully used the AF55 for three years in a big band setting, highlighting its versatility for jazz, funk, rock, and metal.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Initial buzzing issues can be resolved with a professional setup, improving playability and sound quality.

    Source

User experience

  • One owner uses the AF55 as their primary guitar for its sound quality and tuning stability, despite not primarily playing jazz.

    Source
  • Owners describe the AF55 as feeling like "home," noting its consistent quality across multiple units played.

    Source
  • Owners describe the AF55 as having solid workmanship and a smooth neck, rivaling more expensive models like Gretsch in playability.

    Source

Comparisons

  • While the AF55 is a budget option, some users find models like the AF75 or Epiphone 339 to offer superior build quality.

    Source
  • Some players prefer the AF55 over more expensive models like the AK95, citing it as more enjoyable to play with better sound.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The guitar tends to emphasize lower frequencies, making it suitable for clean and distorted tones, but with slightly weaker pickups.

    Source

Build quality

  • The metal bridge is commonly swapped for a wood bridge to enhance the guitar's tone and playability.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The AF55 is praised as a good value beater guitar, particularly at the price point of $220.

    Source
  • Purchased at $350 from Goodwill, the AF55 with upgraded pickups was considered worth the price despite being a secondhand Indonesian model.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The AF55 featured upgraded pickups, potentially custom, which noticeably enhanced sound quality over the original uncovered black humbuckers.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Ibanez AF55 Review Affordable Hollow-Body Electric Guitar

cigilovic.com

The Ibanez AF55 is a standout in the entry-level hollow-body guitar market, praised for its warm tones, easy playability, and appealing satin finish. The guitar's out-of-the-box intonation and setup are surprisingly top-notch for its price range, making it a great value for money. However, some setup issues, like the foam protector under the bridge, could affect its resonance. Despite this, it delivers satisfying performance both unplugged and plugged in, making it highly recommendable for those seeking an affordable yet quality hollow-body option.

positive

4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
M

Insane value, beautiful sound

I would still love this guitar if it cost six instead of four. Beautiful looking, great feeling, sounds just like you want a hollowbody to sound. Being less expensive, quality control can be variable but mine was actually really nicely set up when I got it. Unplugged tone is warm and clear with more bottom end sustain than I expected from a linden body. Tuners are clunky but stay in tune and at this price point I'm calling that a win. Finish has a pleasant feel to it, mostly feels like regular medium-coursely sanded wood which adds to the "grabdpappy's attic guitar" vibes.

From Gear Setup

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Fatoumata Diawara uses Ibanez AF55

Fatoumata Diawara

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

In a 2011 live performance photo, Fatoumata Diawara is seen playing an Ibanez AF55 semi-hollowbody electric guitar.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ibanez AF55, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Ibanez EWP13 Acoustic Guitar
Ibanez EWP13 Acoustic Guitar Steel-string Acoustic Guitars
1
Squier Sonic Mustang
Squier Sonic Mustang Solid Body Electric Guitars
1

Community setups

Show yours
M

megscetera

Gear IQ 117

More Ibanez Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars

Accessories & Related Items

Similar

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    ezra_low
    ezra_low

    Gear IQ 50